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GIS Course at Sinte Gleska University
Click on the Links Below to Access Course Notes, Laboratory Exercises, Tests, and Assignments Unit 1 Lab Exercise: Investigating World Demography Using GIS- ArcView 3 Version Lab Exercise: Investigating World Demography Using GIS - Answer Key Unit 2 Lab Exercise: Earthquakes Everyday: Exploring World Earthquakes with GIS Lab Exercise: Earthquakes Everyday: Exploring World Earthquakes with GIS - Answer Key Unit 3 Unit 4 Notes: Representing Earth Features in a GIS Lab Exercise: Analyzing Tornadoes Across the USA with GIS Lab Exercise: Analyzing Tornadoes Across the USA with GIS - Answer Key Unit 5 Lab Exercise: Locating Study Sites for Stipa Comata Using GIS Lab Exercise: Locating Study Sites for Stipa Comata Using GIS - Answer Key Unit 6 Notes: Core Analytical GIS Functions Lab Exercise: Analyzing Watersheds with GIS Lab Exercise: Analyzing Watersheds with GIS - Answer Key Unit 7 Lab Exercise: Examining Local Demographics with GIS Lab Exercise: Examining Local Demographics with GIS - Answer Key Unit 8 Lab Exercise: Downloading Images and Digitizing Features Using GIS Lab Exercise: Downloading Images and Digitizing Features Using GIS - Answer Key Unit 9 Lab Exercise: Registering and Using Imagery within a GIS Lab Exercise: Registering and Using Imagery within a GIS- Answer Key Unit 10 |
Lakota Studies 400/600: Special Topics: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Science
This course was originally created for an accredited course at Sinte Gleska University (SGU). The course is not currently being offered for credit, but the data, readings, and lessons are maintained on this site. Although you will not receive credit for taking this course, you are welcome to take the course to further your own GIS education. Feedback on any parts of the course are appreciated. Each unit is designed to take approximately two weeks. During the course, you will examine a variety of data sets from local to global, using spatial information and spatial analysis to make an informed decision. Themes include natural hazards, imagery, demography, retailing, and others. The course is designed to be completed over two semesters for a total of 30 weeks. The lessons are available with ArcView 3 instructions. ArcGIS instructions are in progress and will be posted on http://www.esri.com/arclessons. Site Creator and Instructor: Dr. Joseph J. Kerski 1. To understand the principles, applications, trends, and pertinent issues of geographic information systems and sciences, including remote sensing (RS), cartography, geography, and global positioning systems (GPS). 2. To become competent in solving problems with spatial analysis by using geographic information systems software (ArcView 3.2 from Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI Inc.). 3. To increase proficiency in communicating objectives and results of research and production conducted with geographic information systems. 4. To understand how to obtain and analyze data such as that focused on watersheds, population, cultural resources, terrain, natural hazards, land cover, and land ownership. 5. To gain an understanding of how to manipulate and apply vector and raster spatial data, particularly with regard to Native American issues, emphasizing lands in and near the Rosebud Sioux region of South Dakota. How to Complete the Course Each week, check this web page. Visit the links at the left, starting with the "notes." Read the notes, followed by the assignment, followed by the lab. The labs can be completed by highlighting the entire page with your cursor, copying it to the Windows clipboard (with control-c), and pasting it (with control-v) to WordPad or your favorite word processor. Fill in your answers and email me the entire document. Note This is YOUR course, so please provide me with comments throughout the semester so that I can best meet your needs. Required Text and Supplies The 2 books for this course are below. I have selected these trusting that they will be a good investment that will serve you in your GIS journey for years to come. 1. Ormsby, Tim, Eileen Napoleon, and Pat Breslin. 2000. Getting to Know ArcView GIS. ISBN: 1-879102-46-3. 1998. 660p. 2. Longley, Paul A., Michael Goodchild, David J. Maguire, David W. Rhind, and Joe Lobley. 2001. Geographic Information Systems and Science. John Wiley & Sons: ISBN: 0471892750; 454 p. Software Used During This Course ArcView version 3.3, ESRI. Additional Readings Journal articles and other readings as assigned. Labs This is a hands-on class. A series of laboratory exercises in ArcView GIS will provide hands-on experience and enhance understanding of reading material. Exams Two exams will be given in the course, at approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the course. Annotated Bibliography Each student is expected to review 5 journal articles on the application of GIS to a specific problem or issue and write an annotated bibliography on each. Each bibliography should include the full citation reference and a summary of the relevant points. Each should be no longer than one double-spaced, printed page. The 5 bibliographies should address a single profession, problem, or discipline where GIS is applied. One bibliography will be collected each week. A condensed version of these bibliographies will form the literature review section of the final project. Research Project Each student (or team of 2-3 students) is expected to conduct a research project, emphasizing the application of GIS technology to a real-world problem. Select something that you are interested in! A brief proposal of this research project will be required midway through the semester, and the project will be due the last week of class. The research project should include the following components: Statement of the problem, previous research on the problem (with references cited), how you will use GIS to address the problem, data sets you will need, methods that you will use, and what you desired goals and outcomes are. The project is a statement of intent on what you will do with GIS. You are not expected to carry out your methods and data gathering. However, your project should be detailed enough so that you could give your paper to another individual, and that individual would know enough about your problem and methods to carry out your plan. Grading Exam - 20 % Selected skills we will cover in the course File and data management Schedule – Subject To Adjustment Based on Students’ Needs
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